Women in Barbeque Series: Meet the Competitors, Part 3

22nd August 2016

By: Cowboy Charcoal

Over the last few weeks, we have been spotlighting the many talented female pit masters participating in the first annual Cowboy Charcoal Fire & Ice Women in Barbeque Series. Today, we’re introducing the final round of pit masters vying for a chance to compete at the World Food Championships in November and $15,000 in diamond prizes!

Want to meet the other competitors? Visit Cowboy Charcoal Fire & Ice Women in Barbecue Series: Meet the Competitors Part 1 and Part 2.

Lynn first learned to cook at the age of nine and joined the competition barbecue scene in 2007. Over the last nine years competing, Lynn and Montana Bar-BQ have earned many first place awards, including first place in pork shoulder, whole hogs, and even dessert.

Inspired by her mom, Lynn grew up on a farm where her family raised their own beef, pork, milk and chickens. Lynn has incorporated many of her family recipes into her cooking, and has even taken home many top awards with her mother’s Strawberry Pie Dessert. When Lynn is not competing you can find her and her husband running Montana Bar-BQ in Prescott, Arizona.

After going on a blind date at a BBQ Festival, Jayna experienced her first taste of real barbecue which quickly led to her desire to become a judge. A few years later, Jayna got the confidence to compete and has since won 13 Grand Championships, 10 top ten overall finishes and over 100 top ten category awards.

This will be Jayna’s sixth year competing, and when it comes to her love of cooking she is inspired by her grandmother. When she’s not competing, you can find Jayna catering private events for friends with Amazie Q.

Maxine Montano, Mad Max’s BBQ

Hillsboro, Oregon

Maxine has been grilling since 1997, and what started as a way to make delicious ribs evolved over the years into a passion project. Maxine first started competing after attending the annual Pork and Brew BBQ Festival in New Mexico and has since won several awards as the head pit master for Mad Max’s BBQ.

Throughout the years, Maxine has self-taught herself, and even creates her own rubs and barbecue sauces.

Diane Mee, Lake House BBQ

Everett, Washington

After watching BBQ Pitmasters, Diane decided to enter the world of competition barbecue. This will be Diane’s fifth year competing, and since she began participating in competitive grilling Diane and the Lake House BBQ team have earned multiple Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion awards as well as four National contests including Sam’s Club Final and the American Royal Invitation. Diane believes that competitive barbecuing challenges her personally and has honed her barbecue craft through trial and error.

Tina Cannon, The Pit Grew GA

Newnan, Georgia

Following a suggestion that she should compete in an upcoming barbecue contest, Tina decided to enter her first competition at Lake Martin and won. Shortly after, the “BBQ Gal” was born and she began competing in the backyard division in 2009.

In 2012 Tina moved up to the pro division and since then has a long list of awards to show for it including being the first woman to win the regional Sam’s Club National BBQ event, Georgia BBQ Championship, as well as the Grand Champion Dillard in the 19 years it has taken place.